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She needed to escape, or she’d kiss him, even with morning breath.
“Is there a restroom?” she squeaked out.
“Yes, of course.”
She slid off her chair without putting it back to an upright position, reluctant to push all the wrong buttons again.
Derek stood right in front of her. He was so tall, so tough, so manly. He took her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world and escorted her around the recliners. Ollie and Braxton were each in laid-down recliners closer to the back of the plane and splayed out sleeping. They looked too big for the space, but thankfully they’d been able to sleep. The interior of the plane was still dim.
Derek pointed to Ollie and Braxton and put a finger to his lips. She smiled.
He led Ellery past them and to the back of the plane. There was a long bar with baskets of snacks and a glass fridge underneath stocked with drinks. Two closed doors beckoned beyond.
He pointed and whispered, “A bathroom and Brenda’s space that is also a kitchen stocked with all kinds of delicious food. Are you hungry?”
Her stomach rumbled at the suggestion. “Sure.”
“I’ll assemble some snacks until Brenda wakes up. Then we can have breakfast.”
“Thanks.” He was always so humble in small ways. She imagined most royals, and most wealthy people, would have rung a bell while still in his seat to wake the flight attendant up. She loved that he didn’t.
He reached over and opened the bathroom door for Ellery just as Brenda’s door swung open.
“Good morning, you two beautiful people,” she called.
Derek put a finger to his lips. “Ollie and Braxton are still out,” he whispered. “They don’t get near enough rest worrying about keeping me safe and with me waking at four-thirty every morning. It’s good to see them let their guard down enough to sleep in for once.”
Brenda lifted her eyebrows. “You are a very unique prince.”
“I think I’ll take that as a compliment. Just don’t try to assassinate me until they wake up. They’d never forgive me if they missed out on the opportunity to protect me.”
They all laughed.
“I wouldn’t dream of assassinating my favorite Ninja Prince.” Brenda winked. “I’ll quietly make breakfast for you two, then feed the bodyguard brutes when they awaken from their beauty sleep. What would you each like?”
“Whatever’s easy,” Ellery said.
She agreed that Derek was unique, in such a fabulous way. They weren’t even to Augustine and she was already forgetting she needed to keep some kind of distance from this irresistible prince. She was here to protect him and his family, and she couldn’t trust him to not walk away after he conquered the challenge of getting her to fall for him.
“I know all about you two and how healthy you are.” Brenda grinned. “I’ll make a delicious but healthy breakfast for you.” She looked at the open bathroom door. “Would you like to freshen up first?”
“I actually would.” Ellery wanted to be as presentable as possible before she met Derek’s family. “How long until we land?”
“A little over an hour. Plenty of time to spruce up and eat. Your bags are down below, but there are plenty of toiletries and makeup in the cupboards.”
“Thank you.”
Ellery hurried into the bathroom. She wished she’d thought to keep out fresh clothes as there was a full shower in the bathroom, but she used the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and used one of the disposable washcloths to clean up. After some delicious-smelling body splash and lotion and even some of the makeup, she felt much better. She wasn’t one to put makeup on just to sweat it off and have it look horrible at the gym, but with some face powder, eyeliner, and mascara she felt pretty. She released her hair from the ponytail she usually wore it in and brushed it out. It looked silky and shiny.
She definitely wasn’t fit to be some princess in a T-shirt and yoga pants. That little girl at the store had told her she needed to wear a dress. She smiled at the memory and the fact that Derek had never seemed to care about fancy clothes. Still, she didn’t want to embarrass him or have the press saying she didn’t look like a princess. She didn’t, and she never would—and there wasn’t a lot she could do about that.
Derek was leaning casually against the wall when she left the bathroom. His eyes widened and he straightened and hurried into her space. “Elle. Do you know how beautiful you are?” His voice was husky and desirable, his compliment sincere. He treated her as if she were the royalty. She could hardly handle not throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him.
“Nope,” she teased, “but I imagine one handsome prince will do all in his power to show me.”
“Happily.” His gaze traveled over her lips, and he murmured, “but regrettably, I need to brush my teeth first.”
She wanted to tell him she didn’t care about fresh breath, but it was a good reason to slow things down. She thrived on teasing and flirting with Derek, then she’d always turn him down for a date and keep her heart safe. Right now, she was in his sphere and in his power. She’d never wanted to be in a man’s power before. Was she only a challenge, or did he care for her and want her in his out-of-her-reality life?
